Powder sprayer



Aug. l5, 19.50 .i J. w; CIMBRA ErAL POWDER SPRAYER 2 'sheets-sheet 1`- lFiled July s1. 1944 Inventors unloura amd Joseph MLC' 'be C. `Ives Allg-15 A195.0 J. w. clMluRA Er AL POWDER SPRAYER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July31, 1944 l Inventar-s Joseph M Cmbura and )Eben C. Ives ttonegs PatentedAug. l5,P 1950 f v POWDER sPRAYER Joseph W. Cimbura, Newport, and EbenC. Ives, St. Paul, Minn., assignors to Mueller Can and Tube Co., St.Paul, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application July 31, 1944,Serial No. 547,500 s claims. (c1. 22e-.193)

Our invention relates to powder sprayers and has vforan object toprovide a powder sprayer which willv be effective to spray powderregardlessof the position in which the device isheld.

Another object of the invention resides in pro` viding in one form ofthe `invention a powder sprayer having a case and a removable receptacleor cartridge within the same and in which the powder is contained andwhich may be easily mounted in the sprayer.

A feature of the invention resides in providing a receptacle for thepowder in whichvthe powder may be sold and which may be used in thespraye without material alteration or change. i Y

Ann object of the invention resides in providing a powder sprayer inwhich the receptacle virtually floats within the case.

An object of the invention resides in providing a powder sprayer inwhich an annular air passageway is provided within the case extendingabout the exterior of the powder receptacle.

A` still further object of the invention resides in constructing saidreceptacle with laterally extending outlet openings communicating withsaid annular passageways at the ends ofthe receptacle.

A feature of the invention resides in providing air pumping means at oneend of said passageway and discharge means at the other end of saidpassageway.

An object .of the invention resides in providing means for restrictingthe flow of air entering said air passageway to cause the same to expandupon entering'the passageway and to cause suction in said receptaclethrough` the outlet openings at the inlet end of the annular passageway.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing anexpansion chamber at the outlet end of the annular passageway and intowhich the air leaving the annular passageway is directed, wherebysuction is caused in' the receptacle through the lateral openings at theoutlet end of said annular passageway.

Another object of the invention resides 'in providing a constructionwhereby the receptacle within the interior of the device in'one form ofVthe invention may be readily lled with powder after the device has beenfabricated.

Other objects of the invention reside inthe novel combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterillustrated and/or described.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an end view of a powder sprayer illustrating an embodiment ofour' invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 1 with the powder sprayer inverted andthe parts in partly extended position.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional View taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. '7 is a cross-sectional View taken on line I-l of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a plan View similar to Fig. 1 of ane other form of theinvention.

Fig. 9 is an elevational sectional view taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. l0 is a perspective view of the container or cartridge removed fromthe case.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken on line I l-l I of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is another cross-sectional View taken online |2|2 of Fig. 9.

In the use of powder sprayers in which the air is conducted from one endof the sprayer to the other, considerable difficulty is encounteredwhere a small air passageway is provided. Such,

passageway usually appreciably reduces the capacity of the device andwhen constructed of small dimensions conducts too little air andfrequently becomes clogged. The instant invention provides a device inwhich clogging is prevented and in which a suicient volume of air can beconducted through the passageway.

The form of our invention shown in Figs. 1 to 7 comprises a receptacleor cartridge indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral l@ andwhich is disposed within a case or container il.

Associated with this container is a pumping cyl-` inder l2, by means ofwhich air is forced into the device to create suction therein and drawpowder into the air stream for discharge through the discharge outlet ofthe container. These various parts will now be described in detail.-

The container Il consists of a sleeve I3 of tubular material, such aspaper which has a closure I4 at its lower end and a closure l5 at itsupper end. The Vclosure I4 is preferably constructed of metal and isformed with a flange it which is crimped'to the lower end of the sleevei3 and which lies substantially within the connes of the outer surfaceof said sleeve, so as to provide a fl-ush constructed for coaction withthe pumping means, as will be presently morefully described. Thislclosure. as shown in Fig. 6, has

3 a central opening il in the same which is covered with a sheet offabric i9. This fabric is impervious to the powder within the containeri5 but will allow air to pass readily through the same.

The other closure I5 for the opposite end of the container II consistsof a tubular member 59 which encircles the sleeve I3 and fits tightlyabout the same. This tubular member has secured to the end of it a metalring I9 which is constructed with a Ilange 2I crimped to the outer endof said tubular member. The closure I5 is applied to the end of thesleeve I3 and when in position, closes the upper end of the container II.

The ring I9 has an opening 22 in the same sur- 5' .rounded by a lip andthrough which access may be had to the interior of the device. Theopening 22 is adapted to be closed by a cap 23 which has an end wall 3land a flange 39 issuing outwardly therefrom. The ange engages the lip 20of ring I9 and forms a fluid-tight connection therewith. The tubularmember 59 in the assembly of the parts is glued or otherwise secured tothe sleeve I3, so that the same becomes permanently attached thereto.

The receptacle Il) consists of a tubular body portion 24 open at itsupper yand lower ends. This body portion is of slightly smallerdimensions than the internal diameter of the sleeve I3, so as to formtherebetween an annular passageway 25 extending throughout the length ofthe re ceptacle IU. The receptacle I0 further includes two end members25 and 21 which overlie the ends of the tubular body portion 24. Theseend members are detached from the vbody portion 24 and the ends of saidbody portion are constructed so that laterally extending openings 28 areformed between the end member 26 and the tubular body portion 24 andsimilar openings 29 between the other end of the tubular body portion 24and the end member 21. These openings communicate with the ends of thepassageway 25.

The end member 26 of receptacle I9 is spaced from the ring I9 of closureI5 to provide a chamber 32 at the upper end of the device. The endmember 2l is similarly spaced from closure I4 of the container II toprovide a pressure chamber 33 at the opposite end of the device. Theend'member 23 lits snugly within the interior of the sleeve I3,excepting at certain portions about the periphery thereof where the sameis formed with circumferentially extending openings 64. These openingsbring the passageway 25 into communication with the chamber 32. The endmember 21 is similarly constructed and lits snugly within the sleeve I3excepting where the same is formed at its periphery with openingsbringing the air chamber 33 into communica tion with the other end orthe annular passage-l way.

The end Wall 3l of cap 23 has a discharge operi` ing 34 in the center oithe same which communicates with -a radial passageway 35 lying betweenthe end wall 3I of cap 23 and the end member 25 of receptacle IIl. Thispassageway communi- Cates with the chamber 32 and conducts the air fromthe annular passageway 25 to the discharge opening 34. To maintain thesaid passageway 33 open at all times, the lend wall 3l of cap 23 isconstructed with a number of bosses 3'! which are pressed inwardlytherefrom and which hold the adjoining parts in spaced relation.

The pumping cylinder I2 consists of a tubular member 4I constructed ofpaper which has va closure 42 secured to the outer end. thE rQQ@ This.

closure is preferably formed of metal and has a ange 43 crimped aboutthe outer end of the said tubular member 4I. The tubular member 4I andthe closure 42 constitute a cylinder which, acting in conjunction withthe container II which serves as a piston, provides a pressure chamberin which air may be compressed when the said cylinder is moved towardthe closure I4 of the container I I. The closure 42 has an air inlet 44which is adapted to communicate with the chamber 40. Overlying theclosure 42 is a valve indicated in its entirety at 45 in Fig. 7. Thisvalve consists of a disk 46 constructed of paper or some similarmaterial which is formed with a crescent shaped cut 4l dividing saiddisk into an annular portion 48 resting upon the closure 42, and acentral portion 49. The said disc is further weakened along the line 5I,so that the central portion serves as a valve apper for controlling theiiow of air through the inlet 44. When the cylinder I'Z is drawnoutwardly, valve. 49 opens to permit entry of air into the pressurechamber 40. Upon reversal of movement, the v-alve apper 49 closes theinlet 44 and the airis forced into the air chamber 33 through the airpassageway I1 in closure I4.

For 'the purpose of lling the interior of the receptacle II) with thepowder, a central openingT 53 is formed in the upper end member 25. Thisopening is adapted to be closed by means of a Vcover 54 which is ofdimensions smaller than those of the opening 22 in ring I9 and which isinsertable into the device through said opening. The bosses 31 on thecap 23 are adapted to en gage this cover and to hold the end member 26away from the end wall 3| of cap 23, so as to maintain passageway 35open. The cover 54 may be glued 'to the end member 26 or the same may beleft loose, as desired. It will be noted that the diameter of 'the hole53' is such that the cover 54 closes said hole, even in the event thatsaid cover is .shifted laterally until it engages the inner surface ofthe sleeve I3. 'Thus,'the hole 53 is maintained closed at all times.

The tubular member 4I extends up to the tubular member I8 and the twomay be temporarily held in position by means of la label, band or otherreadily fracturable wrapper, which extends about these parts and whichmay be secured thereto in the customary manner.

The method of assembling the device is as follows: The end member 2'I isfirst inserted into the container I.I and then the tubular body portion24 dropped in upon the same. Thereafter, the .end member 26 is placedyupon the tubular body portion 24 and the closure I5 applied. Thisclosure is then glued or otherwise secured to the sleeve I3 and theparts are then permanently held in position. Since hole 22 in ring I9 isof lesser diameter than the diameter of the end member 26, the Asaid endmember remains within the container II and holds the yother parts inposition.

In filling the receptacle Ill, the powder .is inserted through theopening .22 in closure I5 and through the hole 53 in the end member 25.The cover 54 is next placed upon 'the end member 25 and the cap 23applied. A piece of paper or similar material is preferably glued overthe discharge outlet 34, whereupon vthe powder sprayer is completed andready to be furnished to the user.

In the use of the invention, the label or other seal connecting thetubular member 4I to the tubular member 50 is rst broken and the paperclosing the discharge opening 34 either removed or perforated.To'operate the device, it is merely necessary to pump-.the cylinder I2back and forth. This successively draws airinto the pressuresfchamber40, compresses the air and forces the Asame into 'the air chamber 33from which it passes through the annular passageway 25 and into thechamber 32. The air, upon entering this chamber, passes through thepassageway 35 and is discharged through the discharge outlet 34. As theair` entersthe annular passageway 25, it expands and causes a suction inthe powder outlets f 29 and/or 34 rwhich draws powder intothepassageway- 25 andmixes the same with air. The powder-laden air isthen directed through the passageway 36 and discharged from thedischarge outlet 34. vFrom the drawings, it will be seen that when thedevice is arranged in upright position,` as shown in Fig. 2, that powderenters the annular ypassageway 25 through the lower openings 29. When,however, the device is inverted, yas shown in Fig. 3, the powderentersthe said annular passageway through the upper openings '28. Itwill also be readily comprehended lthat since the passageway 25 isannular, the device may be operated regardless of the position of thesame, since powder can enter the passagewayl 25 from any locality aboutthe circumference ofthe receptacle.

While we have referred to the powder as entering the passageway 25through suction caused by the` air passing through said passageway, itwill be readily comprehended that a certain amount of powder sifts intothe said passageway through the disturbance set up inthe device by themanipulation of the pumping means and also by the action of gravity. Thereceptacle I nts freely Within the container I I and is moved duringmanipulation of the device. This keeps the passageway 25 clear and alsoassists in discharging powder into the same.

While the discharge outlets 28 and 29have been shown in the drawings asof substantial proportions, it can readily be comprehended that theseoutlets can be made of proper dimensions to discharge the exact amountof powder desired. I have found in practice that with the constructionof the parts of paper, the roughness ofthe parts when constructed in theordinary manner, provides sufficient 'openings to permit the dischargeof a suilicient amount of powder into the air stream.

The form of the invention shown in Figs. 9-12 is similar to thatpreviously described. For this reason, the description of the similarparts will not be repeated, and the same reference numerals preceded bythe digit 1 will be used to designate corresponding parts.

The container III is similar to the container II, excepting that thesheet of fabric covering the opening V| I'I in the closure I I4 of saidcontainer is omitted. Instead of the same, a disk of cardboard isemployed which is shown in Fig. 11 and indicated by the referencenumeral 6I This disk fits freely within the lowermost portion of thesleeve |I3 and ,rests on a ilange 62 extending upwardly from the closure||4 at the margin of the opening I I'I. The edges of the disk 6| are cutaway to provideopenings 63. By means of this construction, a valve isprovided which permits passage of air. through the opening |I'I and intothe interior of the container I I I, but which prevents the ow of air inthe opposite direction.

The tubular member |50, which is similar to thebody 50 of the closure I5in the other form of the invention, is securely attached to the* sleeve|I3. Encircling the outer edge of this tubular member and the sleeve I|3 is a ring IIS similar to ring I9 of the other form ofthe invention.This ring has a flange |2| crimped to the outer surface of the tubularmember |50 and a flange |20 crimped to the inner surface of the sleeve||3. By means of this construction, the upper end of the container II|is open for the 10 reception of the receptacle IIO and the opening'therein is substantially the same as the internal diameter of sleeve I|3.

The receptacle IIO differs from the receptacle* I0 in that the same isconstructed with end members or caps 64 rigidly secured to thetubularbody portion |24 of the same. These caps are formed of metal andare provided with internal flanges 65 and external anges 66 which arecrimped about the edges of the tube and hold the said cap securelyattached thereto. The caps 64 are each constructed with a raised portion61 at the center of the same leaving an annular depression 68 extendingabout the said raised portion. rIhe anges 56 are pressed into the mate-25 rial of the tubular body portion |24, so that the receptacle II issmooth upon the exterior thereof. The caps 64 at both ends of thereceptacle are identical, so that either end of the receptacle may bedirected into the container in applying the same thereto.

The open end of the container or case |I is closed by means of a cap |23which is identical with the cap 23, except that the cap |23 is ofsuitable dimensions to engage the Flange |20 of the ring I9. The raisedportion 6l of the uppermost cap 64 of the receptacle |24 is adapted tovengage' the bosses |37 formed on the same to provide a passageway |36from the chamber |32 to the discharge opening |34. The receptacle 40 |24is held in proper position by a compression coil spring 69 which isreceived within the depression |32 of the lowermost of the caps |64 andwhich engages the disk 6I. This spring, in

addition to holding the receptacle in position,

mpadapted to be easily ruptured by the user when.

""the device is desired for use. If desired, the said openings may bemade entirely by the user and.

instructions merely printed upon the exterior of the tubular portion i24 of the receptacle indicatmiing where the holes or openings are to bemade.

` In either event, these openings are cleared prior to the use of thedevice.

The pumping mechanism of this form of the invention is the same as thatshown in Figs. 1-7. 6M With the form of the invention disclosed in Figs.8-12, the powder may be placed in the receptacle I 0 at the factory andthe said receptacle sold separately from the 4case and ,pump

mechanism of the invention. When desired forv 70.? use, the holes 'IIare either formed or opened up `and the receptacle slid into thecontainer ||I.

VThe receptacle may be inserted with either end entering the container,since both ends are identical in construction. The said container then=7,53- rests upon the spring 69 which is expanded. Cap.

These openings may be formedA atV asignan lift` is next applied and whenforced intoi closing position, compresses the spring l which holds theparts in operating position. It willi readily be comprehended that theAcartridges: or containers having the powder in them may be sold asrel-lers and a single case andpumping mechan-isI-n used repeatedly.

The method ofc-poration andv of use of the invention shown in Figs.23-12vv is. the same as that shown in Figs. 1

: vThe advantagesof our invention are: manifest. The parts are easilyconstructed and ata nominal expense. Assembly of the. parts of thepowder sprayer can bei quickly andi easily made. Since the airpassageway is annular', danger of clogging is entirely prevented andVthe air passageway maintained open at all times'. The receptacle for thepowder virtuallyA iioats within the container of the invention and is'moved? about within the container, during use, so that any' powder whichmay lodge within the annularI passageway is constantly agitated and ispositively ejected from the device by the air stream passing through theair passageway. The' device operates in exactly the same mannerwhetherone side of the device or the other is uppermost, or whether thedevice is held vertically, horizontally or tilted in eitherdirection.The fabric member overl-ying the opening in the lower closure of thecontainer in the one form oi: the invention prevents the powder irc-mbeing discharged into the air'pressure chamber and leaving from thewrong end of the device. YIn the one form of the invention, the powdermay be packed in cartons at the factory and used as rells by the user.

Changes in the specific form of our invention, as herein described, maybe made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from thespirit of our invention.

I-lavingr described our invention, what we claim as new anddesire toprotect by Letters Patent is:

l. In a powder sprayer, a receptacle comprising atubular body portionand end members associated therewith, a sleeve surrounding said bodyportion and spaced therefrom to form an annular passageway extendingabout said receptacle, said receptacle having transverse outlet openingsarranged circumierentially about said receptacle to communicate withsaid annular passageway at different localities therein, spacedcircumierentially from one another, a closure for one end of said sleevespaced from the corresponding end member of said receptacle at certainportions thereof and forming an air chamber therebetween communicatingwith said annular passageway, closure means for the other end of saidsleeve spaced from said other member at portions thereof to form atransverse passageway, said second named closure means having adischarge opening therein communicating with with saidr sleeve: forforcingair through said passageway and discharge', means ati the otherend of said passagewayr 3. In a powder sprayer, a; receptacle:comprising a tubular body portion open at: its ends, end membersoverlyingv the ends. of said body portion anddetached from said bodyportion at certain localities to provider laterally extending outletopenings at the ends of said receptacle, a sleeve4 surrounding said bodyportion and spaced therefrom to form an annular passageway extendingabout said receptacle, said outlet openings discharging. laterally into.said. passageway, means at one endl of said passageway associated withsaid sleeve for' forcing air throughl said passageway, means forconstricting the air entering the said passagewayl at thev locality oione ofV said lateral openings to provide rapid. expansion of the airinto the annular passageway and suction in said lateral opening of thereceptacle and .dis-

charge means' at the other.` outlet end of said passageway.

4,. In a powder sprayer, a receptacle comprising a tubular body portionopen at its ends, end members overlying the ends of said body portionand detached fromfsaid body portion at certain localities to providelaterally extending outlet openings at the ends. of said receptacle, asleeve surrounding said body portion andspaced therefrom to form anannular passageway extending about said receptacle, said outlet openingdischarging laterally into said passageway, means at one end of saidpassageway associated with said sleeve for forcing air through saidpassageway, means for constricting the air entering the said passagewayat the locality of oneI of said lateral openings to provide rapidexpansion of the air into the annular passageway and suction in saidlateral opening of the receptacleand means forming an expansion chamberat. the other end of saidr passageway and into which the samedischarges, said expansion chamber producing suction within thereceptacle through the other lateral opening and discharge. means at theother end. of thersaid sleeve and communicating withsaid expansionchamber.

5. In a powder sprayer, a receptacle comprising a tubular body portionand end members at the ends of the same, said tubular body portionhaving laterally extending outlet openingsy therein at both endsthereof, a sleeve surrounding said bodyportion and spaced therefrom toform an annular i passageway extending about said. receptacle, said saidtransverse passageway 4and means at the other end of said receptacleassociated with said sleeve for forcing air through said annularpassageway;

2. In a powder sprayer, a receptacle comprising a tubular body portionopen at its ends, end members overlying both ends of said body portionand detached from said body portion at certain localities to providelaterally extending outlet openings at both ends of said receptacle, asleeve surrounding said body portion and spaced therefrom to form anannular passageway eX- tending about said receptacle, said outletopenings discharging laterally into said passageway, means at onerend ofsaid passageway associated outlet openings discharging. laterally intosaid passageway, means at one end of said passageway for forcing airthrough said passageway, means for constricting the air entering thesaid passageway at the locality of one of said lateral openings toprovide rapid expansion of the air into the annular passageway andsuction in said lateral opening of the receptacle andV discharge meansat the other end of said passageway.

6. In a powder sprayer, a receptacle comprising a tubular body portionand end members at the ends of the same, said tubular body` portionhaving laterally extending outlet openings therein at both ends thereof,a sleeve surrounding said body portion and spaced therefrom to form anannular passageway extending about said receptacle, said outlet openingsdischarging laterally into said passageway, means at one end of saidpassageway for forcing air through said passageway, means forvconstricting the air entering the said passageway at the locality of oneu of said lateral openings toprovide rapid expan- 9 sion of the air intothe annular passageway and suction in said lateral opening of thereceptacle and means forming an expansion chamber at the other end ofsaid passageway and into which the air from the annular passagewaydischarges, said expansion chamber producing suction within thereceptacle through the other lateral opening and discharge means at theother end of the said sleeve and communicating with said eXpansio-nchamber.

7. In a powder sprayer, a tubular case having a circumferential wall.and a closure closing one end of said case, a receptacle for powderwithin said case having a circumferential wall of lesser externaldiameter than the internal diameter of the circumferential wall of saidcase to form an annular passageway therebetween, an end member for saidreceptacle, means for spacing said end member from said closure to forman end chamber communicating with said annular passageway, saidreceptacle having a laterally eX- tending opening discharging into saidannular passageway, said closure having a discharge opening centrallylocated therein and communicating with said end chamber and pumpingmeans for forcing air through said annular passageway.

8. In a powder sprayer, a receptacle comprising a tubular body portionand end members associated therewith and closing the same at its ends, asleeve surrounding said body portion and spaced therefrom to formtherebetween an annular passageway, outlet openings in said receptaclearranged circumferentially about said receptacle to communicate withsaid annular passageway at different localities therein spacedcircumferentially from one another, means at one end of said annularpassageway associated with said sleeve for forcing air through saidpassageway, and discharge means at the other end of said. annularpassageway including a chamber communicating with said annularpassageway and receiving the discharge from any of said outlet openings.

JOSEPH W. CIMBURA.

EBEN C. IVES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,406,903 Rose Feb. 14, 19221,571,311 Wittjen Feb. 2, 1926 2,063,871 Rose Jan. 26, 1937 2,215,937Rutkowski Sept. 24, 1940 2,315,581 Berenson Apr. 6, 1943 FOREGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 634.569 Germany Aug. 29, 1936

